This month, three emblematic monuments, both in the north and south of Portugal, will be lit up in teal, in an effort to raise awareness of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In Greater Lisbon, the special lighting will bring a new glow to the Oeiras Palace and Cristo Rei. In Porto, the building chosen was the Clérigos Tower.
What is POC?
In a statement sent to Lisboa Secreta, POCDF – POC Doentes e Família explains that it decided to join OCD Awareness Week (from October 13 to 19) to raise Portuguese awareness of the problems related to this serious and chronic mental health condition.
OCD is “characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions), and repetitive behaviours (compulsions), which the person feels no need to perform in order to relieve anxiety,” the press release details.
In fact, some of the most common examples of OCD are compulsive hand washing, the need to keep everything symmetrical, or excessive checking of doors and switches, among others.
More than 540,000 Portuguese suffer from POC
The figures leave no doubt: many Portuguese suffer from POC (and some don’t even know they have the condition).
According to estimates, it affects more than 540,000 people, one in every 20 Portuguese.
Another ‘shocking’ fact is that the average diagnosis can take more than 12 years. That’s why it’s so important to spread the word about the disease in society.
Dates & places to watch the illumination
If you want to watch the lighting of the monuments mentioned above, here are the dates and places where they will be ‘covered’ in teal:
- Oeiras Town Hall – October 15
- Cristo Rei (Almada) – October 17, 18 and 19
- Clérigos Tower (Porto) – October 19th